|
|
29.11.08
It happened; I went to the mall. I went early and was out by 12:30, which wasn’t bad. Stuff got crossed off the list, and the number of things I bought for myself was minimal. It seems there is no bottom to the depth of ugly that you can find in the way of Christmas ornaments. Also, the Salvation Army people are back with their plastic spheres. The first guy I passed was standing outside discreetly jingling his bells*, and I dumped in a handful of the change I can never be bothered to count out anyway. At another exit on the way out, the guy was singing. At first, I had the instant cringe reaction which precedes instances of public humiliation, but it was unwarranted; the guy was good. His loud, clear voice was intoning “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”, and it carried out from the entrance, over the parking lot, through the grey drizzle, and past the cars driving in circles, creating an almost tangibly rarefied space, where Christmas was a connection between people, a common feeling inspired by the gift of a song.
*Not a euphemism.
23.11.08
I spent Wednesday through Saturday in Victoria, at my first industry conference. It went well, some sessions were
more useful than others. We skipped out for a bit to take up an invite to tour the behind-the-scenes natural history collections at the Royal BC Museum.
You want to show me how it works? The stuff the public doesn't get to see? Heck yeah; I love doing that. Big thank you to Kelly.
Other highlights included the government policy session we skipped in favour of the bug zoo (notice a theme?). I held a giant millipede, then a
scorpion. Yes, live. On the ferry ride over, we saw Dall's porpoises, a Harbour porpoise, and a Minke whale (we think), so on the way back we stood on the
deck in the biting wind and had our eyes glued to the water (except for a trip back to the car to throw on another sweater). Saw nothing except the usual harbour seals and not-that-uncommon birds. Ah well, I felt
like a biologist at least.
11.11.08
I randomly suggested a birthday cake battle royale for a work related event. The idea took off.
Hot damn.
Find out more at The Vancouver Evolution Festival.
Slowly, people, slowly: Asia pics.
08.11.08
I’ve started walking around the halls at work with an unseeing stare while my mind scrolls through all the stuff I’m trying to keep track of. I’ve gone past people I know without recognizing them. Luckily I know the building well enough to avoid wandering in circles. When they ask how I went crazy, file this under: “there were warning signs”.
I don’t know if I can say anything about the American election that hasn’t already been said. I’m pleased, and willing to be caught up in the conspiracy of hope. And was anyone else irrationally annoyed at that woman standing in front of Jesse Jackson knowing she was blocking half his face, thus ruining a particularly poignant moment?
I’m a sucker for a good image.
And yes, the communications silence, as usual, means I have more work than I really want to do.
|
|
©d.tan  |
